Blues coach John Kirwan rates Queensland Reds the best team in Super Rugby because of their versatility of game plan.

The Blues are top of the New Zealand conference - surprising many pundits - but they are preparing to have their credentials severely tested at Suncorp Stadium.

Kirwan compares the Reds to championship sides who have the ability to play several different game plans, saying that ability is augmented by the threat posed by the combination of half-back Will Genia and five-eighth Quade Cooper.

"They have a good kicking game, they've got an expansive game, they can play a tight game and they play with real intelligence in mixing that up," Kirwan said. "And they've two world-class players who, when they're on their game, are very hard to control, so the mix makes them really lethal."

The Blues go into the match rested from a bye that followed their 28-6 thumping of the Hurricanes, while the Reds, fourth overall in the competition, are backing up from an intense 19-19 draw with competition leaders the Brumbies.

Kirwan described that Reds-Brumbies clash as being of Test intensity, but he was surprised the Reds turned down penalty shots at goal. "I couldn't really understand that," he said while suggesting they might opt to go for goal this week.

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